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Little Hunk & Snickers, Joshua Tree
We meet our friends Steve and Catherine in Joshua Tree and agree to go to the Echo Rock area. Their friends Mike, Roger, and Hoffman are on their way also. I haven’t been feeling like leading anything, but when we get to the Little Hunk the weather is gorgeous and there is a short 5.8…
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Book: No Picnic on Mt. Kenya / Felice Benuzzi
This is the only prisoner of war story I’ve read that’s made me jealous of the prisoners. Definitely not because POW life is romanticized, but because these prisoners set out on such an outrageous undertaking to make to most of it. There is an escape, which is always exciting, but this is the only story…
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Half Anniversary
We figure we may be on the Continental Divide on August 2nd, so today seemed like a good day to bust the wedding cake out of the freezer. The cake is still quite good, and there’s a perfect amount for Ann, Anabel, and me. The marriage is still quite good too, and getting better.
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Queen Mountain, Joshua Tree
One of the first things Anabel asked about the park was, “Where is the highest peak?” I thought it was Queen Mountain, which from the map looked like it would have a good view of Hidden Valley, San Jacinto peak, and San Gorgonio peak. It turns out I’m right about the view, but Quail Mountain…
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Pinto Wye Arrastra
What is an arrastra you may ask? Well, I could have taken a picture of one, but instead I chose to photograph this odd berry bush. We found this two-mile walk listed in our hiking guide. It was nearby and just the right length to finish off the day. It didn’t say, however, what an…
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Castle Rock, Joshua Tree
Anabel meets us at the Crossroads Cafe, where breakfast is always good, and we return to camp for some climbing. It’s still a little cold so I look on the south side of the rock for sunny routes. There’s a new bolted line going up a finger on the left that looks OK, so I…
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Joshua Tree Departure
Well prepared for a long holiday weekend, we set out to Joshua Tree to find a campsite. We arrive at Belle Campground in the late afternoon, find a campsite next to some of my favorite climbs, and bound joyfully out of the car. Immediately we jump back in the car, turn the heater on, and…
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Test Run: Joshua Tree Departure
I leave work at noon, eager to get to Joshua Tree in time to grab a campsite before they are gone for the holiday weekend. I told my cousin Anabel we would take her camping this weekend, and it will be awkward if she shows up and we don’t have a site. Ann has the…
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Ann goes to Morris saddle on the PCT
Ann did a hike by herself today on the Pacific Crest Trail from Walker Pass to the saddle below Morris Peak. These solitary walks are very different from hiking with a partner. I’m happy to hear that she seems to experience the same enticement and invigoration from them that I have in the past.
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Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest
After a sunny breakfast we drive a few miles more up the road to Sierra View, at about 9000 feet. Shortly beyond that the road is closed. The place is well named. This is the best profile of the High Sierra I’ve ever seen. We walk a few miles up the snow-bound road to the…